MLB still investigating Gio Gonzalez, other players linked to Biogenesis

Despite reports that seem to back Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez’s statements of innocence regarding his alleged link to the clinic in Coral Gables that reportedly dispensed performance-enhancing drugs and a drug test Gonzalez said he passed, Major League Baseball officials are still investigating the left-hander’s alleged involvement along with the other players named in the Biogenesis records. League officials view Gonzalez’s status in the investigation the same as the other linked players.

Internally, the Nationals still feel confident that Gonzalez will avoid a 50-game suspension.

MLB’s investigation suffered a recent blow when the New Times declined to honor their request and hand over records that reportedly belonged to the clinic’s chief, Anthony Bosch. According to the New Times, league officials wanted direct access to Bosch’s notebooks and documents, hoping to establish a “chain of custody” in order to convince an arbitrator to discipline players. The report also said that Florida health officials have opened a criminal probe against Bosch.

Assuming MLB officials can gather enough evidence, interviews with the linked players could be the next step in the investigation.

A late February ESPN report, citing two sources, reported that Gonzalez had not purchased PEDs from the clinic. Citing a document, ESPN reported that Gonzalez had paid $1,000 for dietary supplements of questionable efficacy. Gonzalez’s father, Max, told the New Times in its original report that he bought supplements from Biogenesis.